Holding apparatus for sheet material

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for clamping drapery and other sheet material placed upon a table, which comprises an elongate body or carriage which is movable along the table and which can be secured in any desired position, supporting means pivotally mounted on such body and extending forwardly thereof in a first position of such supporting means, an elongate clamping member extending lengthwise of the body below the supporting means in such first position thereof, means mounting the clamping member on the supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, means for retaining the clamping member in a position above the table and out of contact with the sheet material and means for shifting such clamping member downwardly and into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table. Important features of the invention include means for pivotally moving the supporting means and the clamping bar to a second position rearwardly of the forward edge of the elongate body to permit a full view of the edge portion of the sheet material adjacent the forward edge of the elongate body and means releasably locking the supporting means in each of the first and second positions thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Ziers 111 3,779,539 [451 Dec. 18, 1973 HOLDING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL David F. Ziers, Montebello, Calif.

[73] Assignee: O/B Masco Drapery Hardware Company, Compton, Calif.

[22] Filed: May 16, 1972 [2]] .Appl. No.: 253,833

[75] Inventor:

7/1914 Howell 38/108 Primary Examiner-Donald G. Kelly Assistant Examiner-R0bert C. Watson AtrorneyBernard Kriegel ABSTRACT Apparatus for clamping drapery and other sheet material placed upon a table, which comprises an elongate body or carriage which is movable along the table and which can be secured in any desired position, supporting means pivotally mounted on such body and extending forwardly thereof in a first position of such supporting means, an elongate clamping member extending lengthwise of the body below the supporting means in such first position thereof, means mounting the clamping member on the supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, means for retaining the clamping member in a position above the table and out of contact with the sheet material and means for shifting such clamping member downwardly and into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table. Important features of the invention include means for pivotally moving the supporting means and the clamping bar to a second position rearwardly of the forward edge of the elongate body to permit a full viewof the edge portion of the sheet material adjacent the forward edge of the elongate body and means releasably locking the supporting means in each of the first and second positions thereof.

22 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEB DEC 18 1915 SHEET 1 [IF 3 PATENTEU DEC 18 I915 SHEET 2 m a HOLDING APPARATUS FOR SHEET MATERIAL This invention relates to apparatus for retaining sheet material on a measuring table, or the like, and more particularly to apparatus for releasably securing drapery material to the table to facilitate its measurement and cutting to the desired length.

Apparatus has been provided heretofore for clamping drapery sheet material and the like to a suitable surface, such as a table, for the purpose of properly cutting the material to the required length. Such prior art apparatus have been relatively complex, costly to manufacture, and difficult to operate, requiring many operations in arranging the material on and clamping it to the table and in releasing-it therefrom, as well as many steps by the operator in repeatedly moving from one side of the table to the opposite side.

An improved apparatus for this purpose is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,306,603, for releasably clamping drapery and other sheet material, which is relatively simple, strong and sturdy, economical in manufacture sheet material for purposes of properly adjusting the edge thereof along the forward edge of the carriage, prior to operation of the clamping means.

U.S.. Pat. No. 3,168,304 also discloses an arrangement for positioning sheet material such as draperies, for cutting to appropriate lengths, in-which the sheet material clamping means and the support therefor are mounted for pivotal movement away from and'into op erative clamping engagement with the sheet material,

structure together with the clamp bar mounted thereon, in either the open or fully retracted position, or in the operative position forward of the movable carriage and over the edge portion of the sheet material to be retained.

There is also provided mechanism for preliminarily holding or clamping the sheet material in place prior to actuation of the clamping member or bar for securely holding the sheet material during the cutting operation.

According to the invention, means are provided for actuation by the operator from either side of the table, the pivoting means for pivotal movement of the support structure for the clamping bar into the retracted or inoperative position and into the .operative position, for locking and unlocking such support structure from either the operative or inoperative position, for actuation of the clamping bar into and out of engagement with but in this device the clamping mechanism is fixed on the pivotally mounted supporting member, and the clamping and support structure of this patentis of relatively complex construction and provides no means for releasably locking the pivotally mounted support structure carrying the clamping member, in either the operative position of the support member above the sheet material, or in its pivoted inoperative position over the carriage and away from the sheet material.

The device of the present invention constitutes an improvement of the sheet material holding apparatus over both of the above patents, and wherein the structure of my above patent is modified to include means for retracting the supporting structure for the clamp member or clamp bar, together with such clamp member, by pivoting this entire assembly in a rearward direction to a position above the movable carriage, whereby the edge of the sheet or drapery material to be placed in position along the longitudinal edge of the carriage, can be readily seen and adjusted along such edge, following which the support structure for the clamp bar, together with the clamp bar, can be pivoted to an operative position wherein the clamping bar is disposed above the sheet material to be clamped, ready for actuation for engagement with the sheet material on the table to retain same in position during the cutting operation.

An additional feature of the invention includes mechanism for releasably looking or securing the support the sheet material onthe table, and for actuation of gripper members into and out of engagement with the sheet material for preliminarily holding the sheet material in place prior to actuation of the clamping bar.

The invention mechanism is simple, strong and .sturdy, economical to manufacture and easy to operate, in effecting the clamping action and the releasing of thematerial, as well as in operating the mechanism to pivot the support structure into an operative or inoperative position, and for releasably locking the mechanism in such positions.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the description below of a preferred embodiment of the invention structure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it being understood that such de tailed description in connection with the structure shown is notto be taken as Iimitative of the invention, the invention beingtaken as' limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

'- FIG. 1 is a topplan view of a clamping apparatus according to the invention, mounted upon a table;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. ll, -in

front of the clamping apparatus; I

FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of FIG. I, in back of the clamping apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view at one end of the apparatus, showing the clamping mechanism and support means therefor pivoted to its retracted position and locked therein;

FIG. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing the clamping member and support structure in the operative position, but with the clamping member raised above the table and sheet material thereon;

FIG. 6 is a section similar to FIG. 5 but showing the apparatus in clamping position;

FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show details of the structure of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a section taken on linel0l0 of FIG. 5; FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 butshowing the locking mechanism for the support structure, in retracted position;

FIG. 12 is a section taken on line 12--l2 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a section taken on lines'l3l3 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 1, but showing the gripper element in the raised position.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, it is desired to clamp an end margin of sheet material S, such as drapery material, to a suitable work table T at a desired distance from an end E of the table at which the drapery material can be severed to the appropriate length. The table can assume any desired form, and includes a table top 10 and supporting legs (not shown), the sides 12 .and 14 of the table being parallel to one another and its end E being normal or at right angles tothe parallel sides. A suitable scale 16 is provided on the table top adjacent to each of its sides for the purpose of measuring the distance of a clamping or holding apparatus C from the forward end E of the table. The distance indicia 17 on each scale increases in a direction away from the forward end E of the table, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The clamping and holding apparatus C includes a main elongate body 18 slidable along the upper surface of the table and having a length corresponding to the width of the table. The body 18 is actually of a slightly smaller length than the table width. The body is composed of a hollow, box-like configuration, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 4, and 6. It includes an upper web 20 merging into a forward wall 22 and a rear upper wall portion 24, wall 22 being suitably secured to a base portion 26 having an upwardly extending rear wall portion 28, the space between the upper and lower rear wall portions 24 and 28 being normally closed by a back plate shown in dotted lines at 29 in FIG. 5, and which has been removed in the views illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 for greater clarity, such-back plate being capable of being snapped in position between the adjacent edges of wall portions 24 and 28. The base portion 26 extends forwardly of the forward leg or wall 22 to a substantial extent and extends along the entire length of the body to provide a foot portion 30 upon which the drapery material S can be placed. The base portion 26 is slidable along-the table top and is at right angles to the forward vertical wall 22 of the body. The ends of the base portion adjacent to the forward wall are provided with openings 32 (see FIG. 1) overlying the scales 16 at opposite sides of the table through which the indicia 17 can be viewed, the rear of each opening 32 culminating at the vertical body wall 22, which can be placed in alignment with a selected measurement indication.

Viewing FIG. 1, a bracket 34 is suitably secured to the base portion 26 of the body at one of its ends, this bracket being welded or otherwise suitably attached to a vertical head 36 adapted to engage one side 14 of the table. The inner surface of this head is at right angles to the body 18 of the apparatus, the head and body being in the nature of a T-square such that flush engagement of the head 36 against the side 14 of the table disposes the forward wall 22 of the body at right angles to the sides 12,14 of the table.

Viewing FIG. 2, another bracket 38 is suitably secured to the other end portion of the body base 26 and is adapted to extend substantially beyond the other side 12 of the table. This bracket including a depending leg 40 is spaced outwardly from the side 12 of the table. This leg has a threaded boss 42 threadably receiving a shank 44 of a clamping device, the inner end of the shank being swivelly secured to a clamp bar 46 adapted to bear against the side 12 of the table opposite the head 36. A suitable handle or wheel 48 is secured to the outer end of the threaded shank 44 which can be turned in the appropriate direction to shift the clamp member 46 against the side 12 of the table and draw the head 36 fixed to the body against the opposite side 14 of the table for the purpose of firmly securing the body 18 to the table at the appropriate location then:- along and with the forward wall 22 of the body normal to the sides of the table.

The drapery or other sheet material S is placed upon the table top and its end portion placed over the foot 30 of the body with the terminus of the material engaging the vertical forward body wall 22. During this bperation, the clamping mechanism C, comprising the assembly indicated generally at 50 and in FIG. 4, and described in detail below, has been pivoted into a retracted position, rearwardly of the forward vertical wall 22 of the body 18, and locked in such position by a locking mechanism also described in detail hereinafter. This permits an unobstructed view by the operator of the terminus of the drapery material to be engaged in alignment with the front wall 22 of the body, and facilitates manipulation of the terminus of the drapery material in order to readily position the edge of the drapery material along and in aligned engagement with the front wall 22.

When this has been accomplished, the locking mechanism is released, permitting pivotal motion of the assembly 50 in a counterclockwise directionviewing FIG. 4, to the operative position of thisassembly forward of the front wall 22 of the body member, and directly over the foot portion 30 and the sheet material thereon as shown in FIG. 5. The drapery material can now be clamped against the foot portion by moving a horizontal clamping member or pressure bar 52, as shown in FIG. 5, downwardly against the foot portion. As seen particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressure bar 52 is substantially coextensive in length with the body 18 and is secured at a plurality-of spaced points along its length to vertical guide rods 54 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 9) which extend slidably through guide'bores or holes 55 in the forward portion of pillar blocks or arms 56 overlying the body 18 of the tool and mounted for pivotal. movement thereon. A fastening member 58 extends through each pillar block 56, through holes 60 in the upper web portion 20 of the body 18 and through a supporting pivot block 66. The upper head 62 of the fastener 58 engages the upper surface of the pillar block 66, and the head 64 at the lower end of the fastener 58 is secured against the lower surface of the pivot block 66.

I Each guide rod 54 is normally urged in an upward direction to hold the pressure bar 52 in an upward position spaced above the foot 30, by a helical compression spring 68, the lower end of which bears against the upper surface of the pillar block 56, and the upper end of which bears against a guide rod head 70. Thus, the springs 68 yieldably support the guide rods 54 and pressure bar 52 in an upper position with respect to the foot portion 30.

The pressure bar 52 is urged downwardly to clamp the sheet material S between it and the foot portion 30 of the body by a pressure applying actuating mechanism that includes a horizontal rod or shaft 72 extending through the pillar blocks 56 forwardly of the boxlike portion of the body 18 and rotatable in such pillar blocks. A plurality of arms 74 are secured to the shaft, as by means ofset screws 76 (see FIG. 8), each arm preferably being located adjacent to a pillar block 56, as best seen for example in FIG. 1. Such arms 74 are normally disposed transversely of the pressure bar 52 and are inclined in a downward and forward direction with respect thereto. They each have a horizontal pin 78 secured to an outer lower end on which a pressure roller or clamp wheel 80 is rotatably mounted, this roller being adapted to engage the upper surface of the pressure bar. Initially, a roller 80 will engage a forward beveled upper comer 82 of the pressure bar, and will then ride upon a flat upper surface 82a of the pressure bar in moving it downwardly against the sheet material S, the arms 74 riding over center with respect to the operating shaft 72 so as to retain the bar 52 in its lower position clamped against the sheet material S, as shown in FIG. 6. The pressure bar 52 is shifted downwardly against the force of the helical springs 68 acting upon the guide rods 54 and tending to shift the guide rods in an upward direction. When the arms 74 and rollers 80 are shifted in an upward direction from the pressure bar 52, the springs 68 will re-elevate the latter to its initial position shown in FIG. 5.

The shaft 72 can be turned in either direction and from either side of the clamp body 18 and table T. A connector or block 84 is suitably secured by means of a set screw 84' to each end of the shaft 72, there being an actuating lever operator 86 suitably attached to the connector or block, the outer end of such lever having a knob or handle 88 secured thereto which is to be grasped by the hand of a person operating the mechanism. When the lever operator 88 is in its downward position as shown in FIG. 5, the pressure bar 52 is released from the sheet material S and elevated thereabove. Actuation of a lever operator 88 from either side of the mechanism is a forward direction or counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 5 will turn the operating shaft 72 to shift the lever arms 74 downwardly, causing the rollers 80 to engage the pressure bar 52 and shift it downwardly against the force of the springs 68 for the purpose of clamping the sheet material S against the foot 30 of the body. To facilitate the clamping action, an elastic pad 90 of rubber of the like, is cemented or otherwise suitably secured within a longitudinal groove 92 in the pressure bar 52, the pad extending below the latter. When the lever operator 88 is shifted to the position illustrated in FIG. 6, in which the arms 74 hold the pressure bar 52 firmly downwardly against the sheet material S, the springs 68 are incapable of shifting the pressure bar upwardly since the pins 78 on which the rollers 80 are mounted are disposed rearwardly of the vertical plane passing through the axis of the shaft 72, with the plane of action of the springs 68 being forwardly of such shaft. In other words, the arms 74 have been shifted over center in the nature of a toggle joint, so that the springs 68 are incapable of swinging the arms to their upper position. The clamping movement of the arms 74 is limited by engagement of their ends 742.- with the upper surface 82a of the clamp bar 52.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 12, the pivot blocks 66 on which the pillar blocks 56 are mounted, are pivotally supported on a pivot pin 71, the pivot pin 71 being received in a horizontal hole 71 in block 66, the opposite ends of the pivot being rotatably mounted in horizontally aligned bosses 73 mounted'in bores 73' in opposite side walls 75 of a U-shaped support member or cradle 75', the bottom 77 of which is suitably secured to the bottom 26 of the body. 18, the pivot blocks 66 thus being positioned for pivotal movement on and between the vertical walls or plates 75. Pivot blocks 66 and the pillar blocks 56 mounted thereon, are locked in the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 by a locking mechanism which comprises a rod 77 extending longitudinally along the body 18 just above the bottom 26 thereof. Rod 77 is slidably guided longitudinally in guide bores 79 which are in longitudinal horizontal alignment in the respective pairs of plates or side walls 75 of the support member 75' for each of the pivot blocks 66. The rod 77 is provided with a shoulder 79 intermediate its ends, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 10, and a compression spring 81 is mounted on the rod, one end of the spring abutting the shoulder 79 and the opposite end abutting a vertical plate 75. Viewing FIG. 3, the spring 81 urges the rod to the left. The rod 77 also carries a plurality of L-shaped upwardly extending arms 85 each including a horizontal portion 87 extending to the left in FIGS. 3 and 10, the outer end 87a of which are each received in opposite horizontally aligned bores 89 of vertical walls 75, located directly above the bores 79 for'the rod 77, and in bore 89a of pivot block 66. It will be seen that with the end portions 87a of the horizontal pins or rods 87 disposed in the bores 89, and retained in this position by the compression spring 81, the pivot blocks 66' are locked in the position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and such pivot blocks and the pillar blocks 56 carried thereon cannot be pivoted about the pivot 71.

Prior to actuation of the pressure bar or clamp 52 against the sheet material S, and after placement of the latter in appropriate position upon the foot 30 and against the vertical wall 22 of the body 18, as described above, the sheet can be held in such position preliminarily, by means of a gripper member 94 (see particularly FIGS. 2, l3 and 14), two of which are mounted adjacent opposite ends of the body 18, just forward of the frontwall 22 thereof. Each of such grippers 94 is slidable vertically in a support member 96 attached by suitable means such as set screws 98 to the upper web or top 20 of the body 18. These gripper members each include a lower gripper foot 100 secured to a rod 102 slidable through a bore 104 in the support member 96, the upper end of the rod having a knob 106attached thereto for the purpose of pulling the foot 180 upwardly from the body foot 30 and with respect to'the material S. Normally, the foot 100 is urged in-a downward direction by a helicalcompression spring 1108 encircling the'rod 102, its lower end bearing against the gripper foot and the upper end bearing against the upper surface of the support member 96. If desired, each gripper member 94 can be released from the material S individually by a person grasping the knob 106 and pulling upwardly on the rod 102 from the adjacent side of the table T.

However, both of the gripper members 94 can be released simultaneously and pulled upwardly away from the sheet material S by the provision of a separate mechanism. Referring now particularly to FIGS. 3, l3 and 14, this mechanism comprises a lever 110 having an upwardly extending handle 112 suitably connected to the end of lever 110, the lever 110 being supported by a pin 114, which passes through a slot 115 in the upper web 20 of the body 18, and having a nut 116 threadably connected to the upper end of the pin, the lower surfaceof the nutbearing against the upper surface ofthe lever 110. The lower end of the pin 114 is lower surface of the knob 106. Rod 124 is disposed longitudinally of the body 18 a short distance above the bottom web 26 thereof, and to the rear and substantially parallel to the locking rod 77. Rod 124 passes through aligned bores 128 in each pair of vertical plates 75 supporting the pivot block 66 and pillar block 56, and is rotatable in such bores.

Normally, the gripper operating levers 110 are in the position shown in FIG. 13, so that the springs 108 can shift the gripper heads 100 downwardly against the sheet material S and secure it against the foot 30. However, downward movement of either of the handles 112 of the gripper operating levers 110, from either side of the table, produces pivotal movement of the lever arms 1 10 in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 13, about rod 124, causing the gripper operating levers 1 10 to engage the knobs 106, to elevate the gripper feet 100 from the sheet material S, thereby releasing the latter.

The clamping mechanism C, or assembly 50, including the components 52, 54, 56, 68, 74, 80, 84 and 86, can be completely retracted from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the inoperative position shown in FIG. 4, by the operators grasping one of the handles 91 mounted on each end of the rod 77, from one side of the table, e.g. the handle 91 adjacent the side 14 of the table,as seen in FIG. 10, and pulling the rod in the direction to the right, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 11, a distance sufficient to remove the end portions 87a of the horizontal arms 87 mounted on rod 77, through the bores 89 of each pair of plates 75, and through bore 89a of the pivot blocks 66 so as to completely withdraw such end portion of rods 87, to the right, entirely clear of bore 89a in the pivot blocks 66, corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 1 1. This frees blocks 66 for pivotal motion, permitting the entire clamping assembly 50, including the pivot blocks 66 carrying the pillar blocks 56, clamp bar 52, and its supporting components, arms 74 and rollers 80, to be pivoted about the pivot 71 in a clockwise direction, bymeans of either one of levers 86 and its associated lever 'operator'88, from the position shown in FIG. 5 to that shown in-FIG. 4. When the pivot blocks 66 have been pivoted clockwise to a position where the lower surface 66a of blocks 66 are positioned to the rear, that is to the right, viewing FIG. 4, of the horizontal arms 87 of the locking rod 77, and to the right of the bores 89 in the opposite support plates 75 of the respective pairs of such plates, the handle 91 on locking bar 77 is released, causing the compression springs 81 around rod 77 to urge the rod to the left, viewing FIG. 1 1, and back to its normal position shown in FIG. 10, with the end portion 87a of the horizontal arms 87 again disposed in the bores 89 of the opposite pairs of support plates 75. In this position, the rod end portions 87a now lock the clamp mechanism C in the position shown in FIG. 4, since each rod portion 87a now prevents rotation of the pivot block 66 in a counterclockwise direction, from its position shown in FIG. 4. 1

In the use of the apparatus, with the'clamping mechanism C in the inoperative retractedposition illustrated in FIG. 4, disposed above thebody l8 and behind the front wall 22 thereof, exposing the body foot 30 to full view, the body clamp 46 is released along the table to the desired location as determined by alignment of the forward wall 22 of the body with the indicia 17 on the side scale 16. Thereafter, the knob 48 is turned to thread the shank 44 inwardly and move the clamp head 46 against one side 12 of the table and reactively pull the opposite head 36 against the opposite side 14 of the table, thereby securing the body 18 in place.

One of the operating levers carrying the gripper members 94 is actuated by pulling down the handle 112 of one of such operating levers from either side of the table to release the gripper feet 100 from the foot 30 and retract such gripper feet to an upper position, as illustrated in FIG. 14. The sheet material S, such as drapery material, is then placed upon the table T and its end portion placed over the foot 30 and against the forward wall 22 of the body 18. All of this is accomplished in full view and without any obstruction from the retracted clamp mechanism C in the position shown in FIG. 4. After the material S has been properly positioned with its extreme edge against the wall 22 throughout the width of the material, the handle 1 12 of one of the operating levers at one side of the table, is released to cause its spring 108 to press the gripper head 100 against the material and hold it initially securely in place. The operator can then push the handle 91 from side 12 of the table inwardly, viewing FIGS. 2 and 3, or pull the opposite handle 91 from the side 14 of the table outwardly, against the action of spring 81, to the positions of handles 91 shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2, to retract the end portions 87a of rod 77 to the right as shown in FIG. 11, completely removed from the bores 89a of the pivot blocks 66, thereby affording no further obstruction to counterclockwise pivotal motion of pivot blocks 66 from their position shown in FIG. 4. With the rod 77 in such released position, the operator then pivots the entire clamping mechanism C mounted on the pivot blocks 66, counterclockwise by means of the lever operator 88, to the position of the clamping mechanism C as shown in FIG. 5. The operator then releases the handle 91, adjacent the side 12 or 14. of the table, causing the spring 81 on the rod 77 to pull such rod to the left, viewing FIG. 1 1,

back to its normal position, with the end portions 87a of arms 87 again received in the bores 89a of the pivot blocks 66. The clamp mechanism C is now locked in the operative position shown in FIG. 5, with the clamping bar 52 disposed over the body foot 30, and with the end portion of the sheet material now positioned on the body foot 30 and preliminarily held thereon by the gripper feet 100.

The actuating lever 86 at the side of the table at which the operator is then located, is grasped by the operator, who moves it in a forward direction, that is counterclockwise about the shaft 72 to cause the arms 74 to swing downwardly and shift the rollers 80 against the pressure bar 52, shifting the latter downwardly toward the plate 30, the arms swinging over center to securely clamp the material S between the pressure bar 52 and the'foot or plate 30, as shown in FIG. 6. To facilitate such clamping action, the foot 30 may have longitudinal grooves therein providing longitudinal gripping ribs 132 adapted to bear against the underface of the material 8.

The operator can then sever the drapery material at the forward edge E of thetable, the'cut piece then being of the required length. The operator can release the severed sheet of material S from the clamp mechanism C by swinging one of the levers 86 in a rearward direction from either side of the table, for example in a rearward clockwise direction viewing FIG. 6, from side 12 of the table, which will release the pressure bar 52 and allow the springs 68 to elevate it from the sheet material S and the pressure foot 30. The operator can then press the handle 1 12 of one of the operating levers 110 from either side of the table downwardly, viewing PK]. 13, to elevate the gripper feet 100 of the gripper members .94 against the force of their pressure springs 108, thereby freeing the sheet material which can be removed from the clamp mechanism.

A new section of sheet material may'then be placed on the table T and clamped in position by following the above-described procedure, actuation of the clamping mechanism C including the clamping bar 52, the locking rod 77 for clamping mechanism C, and the gripper members 94, being accomplished from either .side of the table in the manner set forth above.

From the drawings and foregoing description, it is seen that the invention provides an apparatus which is relatively simple and which is of strong and sturdy construction. It is readily operatable, being readily manipulated from either side of the table. Final clamping of the sheet material S can occur from either side of the table and release of the material from the clamp mechanism C, including the gripper members 94, can occur from the same side of the table from which the final clamping action was effected. Of particular significance, the clamping mechanism C can be completely retracted away from the front wall 22 of the body of the clamping mechanism, and locked into such retracted position, according to the invention, thus permitting a full view by the operator of the body foot 30, to permit easy and accurate positioning of the extreme edge of the sheet material S along the entire length of the front wall 22, adjacent the bottom thereof. Following such accurate positioning of the sheet material S with respect to the front wall 22 of the body, the grippers 94 are readily actuated to preliminarily hold the material in place, after which the clamping mechanism C can be readily unlocked and pivoted to its operative position over the sheet material on the foot 30 of the device,'ready for final clamping action, as described above.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for clamping sheet material placed upon a table, which comprises an elongate body movable along the table, means for releasablysecuring said body to the table at selected positions thereon, supporting means pivotally mounted on said body and extending forwardly thereof in a first position of said supporting means, an elongate clamping member extending lengthwise of said body below said supporting means in said first position thereof, means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, means for retaining said clamping member in a position above said table and out of contact with said sheet material in said first position of said supporting means, means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof, and into clamping engagement with said sheet material on the table, means for pivotally moving said supporting means and said clamping member to a second position rearwardly of the forward edge of said elongate body to permit a full view of the edge portion of said sheet material adjacent the forward edge of said elongate body, and means releasably locking said supporting means in each of said first and second positions thereof.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means for pivotally moving said' supporting means and said clamping member, including pivot means mounted on said elongate body, pivot'block means mounted for pivotal motion onsaid pivot means, and means securing said supporting means on said pivot block means for pivotal motion therewith.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, said means releasably locking said supporting means in each of said first and second positions thereof including rod means associated with said pivot block means in each of said first and second positions of said supporting means and locking said pivot block means to prevent pivotal motion of said pivot block means and said supporting means secured thereto, to said second and first positions, respectively, and means for releasing said locking means from association with said pivot means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, including a support cradle mounted on said body, said pivot means comprising a pivot pin, said pivot pin secured to said pivot block means, and means mounting said pivot pin for pivotal motion of said support cradle with said pivot block means positioned in said cradle.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, said rod means including arm means connected to said rod means, said pivot block means being apertured and receiving said arm means to lock said pivot block means and prevent pivotal motion thereof and of said supporting means in said first position thereof, said arm means contacting the exterior of said pivot block means in said second position of said supporting means and preventing pivotal motion of said pivot block means and said supporting means from the second-position thereof to said first position thereof, and biasing means on said rod means normally maintaining said arm means in said positions for locking said pivot block means in said first and second positions of said supporting means.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, including a plurality of said support cradles mounted along said elongated body member in spaced relation, a plurality of said pivot blocks with said pivot pin secured thereto, each said pivot blocks being supported by said pivot pin for pivotal motion in one of said cradles, said rod means comprising an elongated rod extending along said elongate body,said rod beingmounted on said cradles for lengthwise slidable movement with respect thereto, said arm means comprising a plurality of upwardly extending arms, each connected in spaced relation to said rod, said arms each having a horizontal end portion disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from said rod, said horizontal end portions being respectively received in said aperture in each of said pivot blocks for locking same in said'first position of said supporting means, said biasing means comprising a spring, means mounting said spring on said rod and arranged to bias said rod in a direction to maintain said horizontal end portions of said arms in said respective apertures of said pivot blocks in said locked position thereof, and actuating members connected to said rod at opposite endsof said elongate body, for longitudinally moving said rod against the action of. said spring to remove said horizontal end portions of said arm from the respective apertures in said pivot blocks, to free said blocks and permit pivotal motion thereof.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, said cradles each having spaced apart vertical walls, each said pivot block being mounted between said vertical walls of said respective cradles, the ends of each of said pivot pins being mounted for pivotal motion on opposite vertical walls of said cradle, said vertical walls having horizontally aligned bores, said locking rod being received and supported in said bores for slidable longitudinal movement.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means'engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against theforce of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, said last mentioned means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly, comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including gripping members positioned adjacent the end portions of said elongate body, and means mounting said gripping members on said body for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, said means mounting said gripping members for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material on the table including spring means normally biasing said gripping members downwardly into engagement with said sheet material, lever means connected to said gripping members for urging said members upwardly away from said sheet material against the action of said spring means, a rod longitudinally disposed along said body, said rod being mounted for pivotal motion on said body, means connecting said lever means of said gripping members to said rod, said lever means being actuatable for rotation of said rod to retract all of said gripping members simultaneously upward away from engagement with the sheet material.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical: guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

17. Apparatus'as defined in claim 5, said means mounting said clamping member on said'supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material,

comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mountedin said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping, member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position mentioned means thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly-from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.

2.0. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said'clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed'on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table, said last comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table. I

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including gripping members positioned adjacent the end portions of said elongate body, and means mounting said gripping members on said body for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 including gripping members positioned adjacent the end portions of said elongate body, and means mounting said gripping members on said body for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, said last mentioned means including spring means normally biasing said gripping members downwardly into engagement with said sheet material, lever means connected to said gripping members for urging said members upwardly away from said sheet material against the action of said spring means, a rod longitudinally disposed along said body, said rod being mounted for pivotal motion on said body, means connecting said lever means of said gripping members to said rod, said lever means being actuatable for rotation of said rod to retract all of said gripping members simultaneously upward away from engagement with the sheet material.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE QB; CORRECTION Patent No. 3 779 ,559 Dated December 18 1973 Inventor(s) DAVID- It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 45 "upper'f should read under Signed arid seqlgad this day of July "1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M'.. GIBSON, J R MARSHALL DANN Attesting Offiger Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-1050 (10-69) USCOMWDC 6037M, U.$. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 19.9 0-353-334, 

1. Apparatus for clamping sheet material placed upon a table, which comprises an elongate body movable along the table, means for releasably securing said body to the table at selected positions thereon, supporting means pivotally mounted on said body and extending forwardly thereof in a first position of said supporting means, an elongate clamping member extending lengthwise of said body below said supporting means in said first position thereof, means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, means for retaining said clamping member in a position above said table and out of contact with said sheet material in said first position of said supporting means, means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof, and into clamping engagement with said sheet material on the table, means for pivotally moving said supporting means and said clamping member to a second position rearwardly of the forward edge of said elongate body to permit a full view of the edge portion of said sheet material adjacent the forward edge of said elongate body, and means releasably locking said supporting means in each of said first and second positions thereof.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means for pivotally moving said supporting means and said clamping member, including pivot means mounted on said elongate body, pivot block means mounted for pivotal motion on said pivot means, and means securing said supporting means on said pivot block means for pivotal motion therewith.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, said means releasably locking said supporting means in each of said first and second positions thereof including rod means associated with said pivot block means in each of said first and second positions of said supporting means and locking said pivot block means to prevent pivotal motion of said pivot block means and said supporting means secured thereto, to said second and first positions, respectively, and means for releasing said locking means from association with said pivot means.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, including a support cradle mounted on said body, said pivot means comprising a pivot pin, said pivot pin secured to said pivot block means, and means mounting said pivot pin for pivotal motion of said support cradle with said pivot block means positioned in said cradle.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, said rod means including arm means connected to said rod means, said pivot block means being apertured and receiving said arm means to lock said pivot block means and prevent pivotal motion thereof and of said supporting means in said first position thereof, said arm means contacting the exterior of said pivot block means in said second position of said supporting means and preventing pivotal motion of said pivot block means and said supporting means from the second position thereof to said first position thereof, and biasing means on said rod means normally maintaining said arm means in said positions for locking said pivot block means in said first and second positions of said supporting means.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, including a plurality of said support cradles mounted along said elongated body member in spaced relation, a plurality of said pivot blocks with said pivot pin secured thereto, each said pivot blocks being supported by said pivot pin for pivotal motion in one of said cradles, said rod means comprising an elongated rod extending along said elongate body, said rod being mounted on said cradles for lengthwise slidable movement with respect thereto, said arm means comprising a plurality of upwardly extending arms, each connected in spaced relation to said rod, said arms each having a horizontal end portion disposed substantially parallel to and spaced from said rod, said horizontal end portions being respectively received in said aperture in each of said pivot blocks for locking same in said first position of said supporting means, said biasing means comprising a spring, means mounting said spring on said rod and arranged to bias said rod in a direction to maintain said horizontal end portions of said arms in said respective apertures of said pivot blocks in said locked position thereof, and actuating members connected to said rod at opposite ends of said elongate body, for longitudinally moving said rod against the action of said spring to remove said horizontal end portions of said arm from the respective apertures in said pivot blocks, to free said blocks and permit pivotal motion thereof.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, said cradles each having spaced apart vertical walls, each said pivot block being mounted between said vertical walls of said respective cradles, the ends of each of said pivot pins being mounted for pivotal motion on opposite vertical walls of said cradle, said vertical walls having horizontally aligned bores, said locking rod being received and supported in said bores for slidable longitudinal movement.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9, said last mentioned means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly, comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including gripping members positioned adjacent the end portions of said elongate body, and means mounting said gripping members on said body for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, said means mounting said gripping members for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material on the table including spring means normally biasing said gripping members downwardly into engagement with said sheet material, lever means connected to said gripping members for urging said members upwardly away from said sheet material against the action of said spring means, a rod longitudinally disposed along said body, said rod being mounted for pivotal motion on said body, means connecting said lever means of said gripping members to said rod, said lever means being actuatable for rotation of said rod to retract all of said gripping members simultaneously upward away from engagement with the sheet material.
 13. Apparatus as defineD in claim 3, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 3, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, said means for shifting said clamping member downwardly with respect to said supporting means in said first position thereof including a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 19. Apparatus as defIned in claim 7, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, said means mounting said clamping member on said supporting means for vertical movement with respect thereto and into and out of engagement with the sheet material, comprising vertical guide rods secured to said clamping member and slidably mounted in said supporting means, spring means engaging said rods to urge said clamping member upwardly from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, and means engaging said clamping member for shifting it downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table, said last mentioned means comprising a shaft rotatably mounted in said supporting means, spaced arm means secured to said shaft and engageable with said clamping member, and means for turning said shaft to force said arm means downwardly and shift said clamping member downwardly against the force of said spring means into clamping engagement with the sheet material on the table.
 21. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 including gripping members positioned adjacent the end portions of said elongate body, and means mounting said gripping members on said body for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim 20 including gripping members positioned adjacent the end portions of said elongate body, and means mounting said gripping members on said body for vertical movement into and from engagement with the sheet material placed on the table, said last mentioned means including spring means normally biasing said gripping members downwardly into engagement with said sheet material, lever means connected to said gripping members for urging said members upwardly away from said sheet material against the action of said spring means, a rod longitudinally disposed along said body, said rod being mounted for pivotal motion on said body, means connecting said lever means of said gripping members to said rod, said lever means being actuatable for rotation of said rod to retract all of said gripping members simultaneously upward away from engagement with the sheet material. 